USAA vs State Farm: Which is Better for You?

  • The Zebra's pick: USAA
  • USAA is cheaper and has better ratings than State Farm.
  • Your experience with USAA and State Farm will vary based on individual rating factors.

Learn more about how USAA and State Farm compare based on your credit score, age and driving history below.

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Ross Martin

Insurance Writer

Ross joined The Zebra as a writer and researcher in 2019. He specialized in writing insurance content to help shoppers make informed decisions.

Ross h…

Credentials
  • 5+ years in the Insurance Industry
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Kristine Lee

Insurance Analyst

Kristine is a licensed insurance agent who joined The Zebra in 2019 as an in-house content researcher and writer. Before joining The Zebra, she was a…

Credentials
  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
  • 6+ years of Experience in the Insurance Industry

USAA vs. State Farm: What's the difference?

The Zebra’s choice: USAA

USAA offers lower prices and stronger overall score compared to State Farm.

USAA:

  • Cost: $70/month for full coverage
  • Customer service: 4.3
  • Claims handling: 2.5
  • Digital experience: 4.8
  • Trust: 4.8
  • Overall rating: 4.1

USAA takes the win for affordability, customer service, and trust.

State Farm:

  • Cost: $98/month for full coverage
  • Customer service: 3.6
  • Claims handling: 2
  • Digital experience: 4.8
  • Trust: 4
  • Overall rating: 3.6

State Farm delivers reliable service but at a higher price point.


USAA vs. State Farm: rates for high-risk drivers

If your driving record an at-fault accident, speeding violation, reckless driving violation or DUI on your driving record, USAA is likely a better choice than State Farm. Every car insurance company will handle driving offenses differently, so don't be afraid to shop around and get quotes to find out which insurance company suits you.

 
RATES BY CITATION: USAA VS. STATE FARM
Citation USAA avg. annual premium State Farm avg. annual premium
At-fault accident (damage < $1,000) $1,304 $2,849
At-fault accident (damage > $1,000) $947 $1,524
DUI/DWI $1,952 $3,854
Reckless driving $1,472 $2,895
Speeding ticket $1,124 $1,983
 

USAA vs. State Farm: rates by age

Insurance companies use age to help estimate the level of risk that a driver poses. Policies are then priced accordingly. Auto insurance policies are typically most expensive for teen drivers — because of their inexperience — and are often much more affordable for drivers aged 25 or older. Because every insurance company rates ages differently, it's best to shop around and find the right policy for your needs.

In general, teen drivers should choose USAA over State Farm: USAA offers average yearly savings of nearly $3,000 when compared to State Farm.

 
RATES BY AGE: STATE FARM VS. USAA
Age bracket USAA avg. annual premium State Farm avg. annual premium
Teens $2,864 $5,820
20s $1,261 $2,379
30s $963 $1,585
40s $957 $1,587
50s $889 $1,558
60s $845 $1,485
 

Affordability aside, USAA and State Farm each carry pros and cons, including their discount programs, add-ons, customer satisfaction ratings, and financial stability. Be sure to get quotes and compare rates before purchasing a policy.

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USAA vs. State Farm: discount comparison

Cost-conscious shoppers will likely be interested in car insurance discounts. Discounts can be a great way to lower car insurance costs. Compare how each company's discounts stack up below.

USAA VS. STATE FARM: DISCOUNT COMPARISON
Discount comparison USAA State Farm
Good student ✓ ✓
Multiple policies ✓ ✓
Multiple vehicles ✓ ✓
Anti-theft device(s) ✓
Anti-lock brake system
Air bags ✓
Good driver ✓ ✓
Defensive driver ✓ ✓
Student away at school ✓
Driver training ✓ ✓
Green vehicles
Affinity membership alum ✓
Advanced purchase
Pay in full
Home owner
eSign or ePay
Telematics ✓ ✓
New Vehicle ✓
Annual Mileage ✓ ✓
Military ✓

When shopping around for a new policy, always ask about what discounts you are eligible for to potentially find additional savings.


Telematics options: USAA vs. State Farm

USAA and State Farm offer policyholders telematics options. These apps can measure your driving habits to calculate the level of risk and provide a more accurate rate. We compiled a rundown of available options from both carriers below to help you find which company might have a telematics option that's right for you. 

USAA logo
USAA SafePilot

SafePilot offers customers the chance to have their driving habits monitored in exchange for cheaper car insurance rates. A discount of 10% is offered just for signing up, with up to 30% savings possible for safe drivers at policy renewal.

State Farm logo
State Farm Drive Safe & Save

Drive Safe & Save is the telematics option available from State Farm. This can be a great option for drivers with safe driving habits. Low-mileage drivers also stand to benefit from the program. The company claims that it can save customers up to 50% on premiums, though lower-mileage drivers are most likely to see these types of savings. The program is available in most states.

Zebra Tip: Explore telematics if you're a safe driver


Both USAA's SafePilot program and State Farm Drive Safe & Save get good reviews overall, including in the best online experience section of The Zebra Customer Satisfaction Survey. If you are a safe driver, either of these programs could potentially help you save money.


Roadside assistance: USAA vs. State Farm

A roadside assistance program can help you get back on the road sooner and with less hassle. Have a look below to see how USAA and State Farm compare for roadside assistance options.

USAA

USAA offers the following roadside assistance services to policyholders:

  • Towing
  • Flat tire changing
  • Fuel delivery
  • Jump-starts
  • Lock-out service
  • Stuck vehicle assistance

Another perk of USAA membership is that these services are also available at reduced rates to policyholders without roadside assistance on their policy.

 

State Farm

State Farm's Emergency Road Service offers the following:

  • Mechanical labor at the place of breakdown
  • Towing of your vehicle to a repair facility,
  • Removal of a stuck vehicle
  • Delivery of gas or oil
  • Assistance with changing a tire or a jumpstart
  • Locksmith services
tow truck

USAA vs. State Farm: home insurance

As with their auto insurance offerings, USAA and State Farm are both popular providers of home insurance. Again, USAA homeowners insurance is limited to members of the armed forces and certain family members. To help you compare how the two companies stack up, we've compiled take information from a number of sources to aid in your decision.

USAA homeowners insurance review

5 100% filled Star icon 100% filled Star icon 100% filled Star icon 100% filled Star icon 100% filled Star icon

Rating from The Zebra Question mark icon

Similar to USAA's car insurance, customer eligibility is limited to those in the armed forces and their families. Still, the company's coverage remains highly rated and quite popular. Most customers will find the coverage suitable to their needs, with a good number of add-ons and discounts available.

USAA topped every category in homeowners portion of The Zebra Customer Satisfaction Survey, indicating a strong focus on the customer. 

100% filled Star icon 100% filled Star icon 100% filled Star icon 100% filled Star icon 100% filled Star icon
5 stars Rating from The Zebra
Ratings based on price, customer service, coverage, and financial strength.
Learn more
  • The Zebra Customer Satisfaction Survey — 4.6/5: USAA topped every category of our homeowners customer satisfaction survey.
  • J.D. Power Rating — Among the Best: J.D. Power rates USAA above average in claims and customer service satisfaction.
  • Financial strength — Superior: A "Superior" financial strength rating by A.M. Best shows USAA's ability to pay out claims is solid.
  • NAIC Rating — Excellent: Regarding USAA, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) received relatively few customer complaints when compared to the market median.

State Farm homeowners review

4 100% filled Star icon 100% filled Star icon 100% filled Star icon 100% filled Star icon 0.0% filled Star icon

Rating from The Zebra Question mark icon

State Farm provides robust policy types and plenty of add-on coverage, making them a solid option for both standard homeowners and those with unique coverage needs. That said, State Farm's average premiums are typically higher than average. Customers looking for a wide selection of homeowners discounts may also want to search elsewhere, as State Farm currently has only four discount options at present.

Still, State Farm's home insurance options receive good scores from most rating agencies and the company took fifth place overall in The Zebra Customer Satisfaction Survey. Learn more about the company's home insurance in our review below.

100% filled Star icon 100% filled Star icon 100% filled Star icon 100% filled Star icon 0.0% filled Star icon
4 stars Rating from The Zebra
Ratings based on price, customer service, coverage, and financial strength.
Learn more
  • The Zebra Customer Satisfaction Survey — 4.4/5: State Farm was given an above-average rating among the top 15 home insurance providers surveyed.
  • Claims satisfaction (J.D. Power Rating) — Below average: J.D. Power's most recent study rated State Farm as just shy of the industry average for property claims satisfaction.
  • Customer satisfaction (J.D. Power Rating) — Above average: State Farm was awarded an above-average rating for customer satisfaction in J.D. Power's Home Insurance Study.
  • Financial strength — Excellent: A.M. Best rated State Farm as having excellent financial viability, signaling its ability to pay for claims.
  • NAIC Rating — Average: State Farm's home insurance received an average amount of complaints as logged by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

Which company comes out on top?

USAA


USAA has a strong reputation for taking care of its customers. This, paired with affordable rates and a wide selection of coverage options, makes USAA a great choice for eligible customers.


USAA vs. State Farm: home insurance rate comparison

USAA's average homeowners insurance rate is $127 per month. The average rates for State Farm are slightly cheaper at $113 per month. Remember that each insurer underwrites policies differently, meaning that you are very likely to get a different rate from one company to another. 

Furthermore, your individual rates could vary dramatically from the average depending on a number of factors. This can include your previous claims history, crime in your area as well as how close you live to a fire station. Because of this, we suggest that you shop around when looking for home insurance quotes.

Cheapest average rates
Cheapest average rates

State Farm is cheaper than USAA on average, with average rates of $113 per month compared to USAA's average of $127 per month.

The Zebra’s homeowners insurance data methodology

The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool for home and auto insurance rates utilizes the latest ZIP code-level rate filings from across the U.S., sourced from Quadrant Information Services and S&P Global. These filings, typically updated annually or biennially by insurers, are verified through Quadrant’s QA process and then integrated into The Zebra’s estimator.

The displayed rates are based on a dynamic home and auto profile designed to reflect the content of the page. This profile is tailored to match specific factors such as age, location, and coverage level, which are adjusted based on the page content to show how these variables can impact premiums.

For a comprehensive understanding, see our detailed methodology.


USAA vs. State Farm: homeowners discount comparison

Most insurance companies offer homeowners discounts to eligible policyholders. These can lead to savings for those who meet certain criteria, such as having a newer home or being claims-free. Take a look at how the discount options from USAA and State Farm compare below.

USAA VS. STATE FARM: HOMEOWNERS DISCOUNT COMPARISON
Discount comparison USAA State Farm
Claims free ✓
Recent home buyer
Multi-policy ✓ ✓
Early signing
Newer/more durable roof ✓
Protective devices (smoke/burglar alarms, etc...) ✓ ✓
Paid in full
Early signing
Auto pay
Newer home ✓
Renovated home
Senior citizen

Other insurance products and bundling options

USAA and State Farm both offer multiple lines of insurance that can be bundled together. This can streamline your insurance policies and also lead to potential savings. Along with auto and home, customers may be able to add life, pet, or even small business coverage from USAA and State Farm. Take a look at the additional coverage types available from each company below.

USAA VS. STATE FARM: OTHER INSURANCE PRODUCTS
Other products USAA State Farm
Boat insurance ✓ ✓
Condo insurance ✓ ✓
Life insurance ✓ ✓
Homeowners insurance ✓ ✓
Renters insurance ✓ ✓
RV insurance ✓ ✓
Motorcycle insurance ✓ ✓
Mobile home insurance ✓ ✓
Umbrella ✓ ✓
Offroad vehicles and ATVs ✓ ✓
Classic car ✓ ✓
Small business ✓ ✓
Farm and ranch ✓ ✓
Pet ✓ ✓

Frequently asked questions: USAA vs State Farm

Both are top-notch insurers with some of the cheapest average prices and highest customer satisfaction ratings. However, USAA has better ratings and is generally cheaper overall. The catch with USAA is you have to be a military member, veteran, or family member to be eligible.

The biggest disadvantage of USAA is that is only open to military members, veterans, and their families and that they have limited physical locations, which may be inconvenient if you prefer in-person service.

While USAA is cheaper than State Farm on average, State Farm still has below average rates. If you are eligible for USAA, it's worth comparing quotes from both to see which is cheapest for your unique driving profile.

Find the best insurance policy for your needs.

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About The Zebra

The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.

  • The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
  • The Zebra’s insurance editorial content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
  • The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
  • The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.